Frequently Asked Questions

Before logging in to your application, you’ll need to have handy:

  • Your resume/CV; 
  • A written biography (in paragraph form);
  • Two letters of recommendation (At least one letter of recommendation should be from someone outside your place of employment (e.g., a client, Judge, a colleague from another firm, professor, etc.). Each letter of recommendation must include the recommender’s name, affiliation, email address, and direct phone number; and
  • Narrative (first-person) responses to the four questions regarding leadership, professional credentials, personal qualities, and the future of the insolvency profession (1,250 character limit).

Please note: You can start, save and resume your application as many times as you like. Applications are due June 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

The next steps are as follows:

  • After you have applied to the program, you will receive a notification that your submission has been received.
  • You will be notified by early October if you have made it to the 2024 class.
  • A “40 Under 40” recognition event will take place during ABI’s 2024 Winter Leadership Conference in early December in Scottsdale, Arizona.

If selected, you will be invited to participate in a recognition ceremony and various other events during the 2024 Winter Leadership Conference slated for early December in Scottsdale, Arizona. You must be willing to attend in person. Your profile and photo will be published in the ABI Journal and on ABI’s website, among other press and publicity. There also will be other special events and programming for “40 Under 40” honorees over the course of the year.

Nominations are due June 30, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET.

Yes. ABI will contact all 40 individuals we select for recognition, as well as the individuals who submitted their nominations.

After submitting your nomination(s), you will get a message thanking you for your nomination(s).

Nominating a young professional for ABI's "40 Under 40" program:

  • Celebrates the achievements of young professionals in the bankruptcy community who will be tomorrow’s leaders;
  • Highlights rising stars in the profession;
  • Showcases how firms and organizations help mentor and provide professional development;
  • Identifies future leaders within ABI;
  • Offers honorees a chance to be featured at ABI events, in the ABI Journal and on ABI’s website;
  • Provides honorees with exclusive networking and recognition opportunities, as they are invited as ABI guests to special recognition events; and
  • Helps advance the future of the bankruptcy profession.

The insolvency community has openly embraced this program. Take a look at the firms who have had nominees in the application pool since the program’s inception.

The nominee will receive an email notifying him/her that a nomination has been submitted. The nominee assumes all responsibility for completing his/her application.

Yes. You may log in using your established username and password to amend your application, or you may start a new profile and application. If you are not selected in 2024, you may be considered again in future years until you no longer fit the nomination requirements (age, practice area, etc.).

Membership in ABI is not required, nor does it enhance a person’s chance of being selected.

The 2024 Class will be announced in October and honored at a special awards ceremony during the 2024 Winter Leadership Conference in early December. In addition:

  • Honorees will be invited to attend an exclusive reception with ABI leaders and judicial faculty at the Winter Leadership Conference, as well as future special events;
  • Honorees will be profiled on ABI’s website and in the ABI Journal;  and
  • Each class of honorees will receive other special recognition when attending ABI events.

Take a look at what previous years’ honorees have achieved since receiving recognition.

The American Bankruptcy Institute’s "40 Under 40" program is open to bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring professionals from around the world who are 40 years old or younger as of December 1, 2024.

Take a look at the firms who have had nominees.

Nominations will be judged by a diverse steering committee of insolvency professionals. Some of the qualities and characteristics the committee will be looking for include (in no particular order):

  • Academic training (degrees earned, etc.);
  • Achievements in representations on behalf of clients;
  • Authorship and publications;
  • Community service;
  • Dedication to the profession;
  • Inventiveness;
  • Leadership skills;
  • “People” skills/mentoring ability;
  • Personal integrity;
  • Professional service (with professional societies, organizations, educational events, etc.);
  • Public speaking/presentation skills;
  • Sustained career progress;
  • Technical skills; and,
  • Work/life balance.
  • It has been the practice of the Steering Committee to select only one nominee per firm.